The Supreme Court verdict marked a political victory for opposition leader Imran Khan, a former cricket star who led a campaign demanding Mr Sharif’s wealth be investigated.

Image:Sharif loyalist Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been eleted as PM

Mr Khan is himself facing a court case over alleged undeclared assets.

The decision to put forward Mrs Sharif is in line with Pakistan’s tradition of dynastic politics and also indicates the former PM will likely stay involved behind the scenes.

Mr Sharif’s ruling party has already elected one of his loyalists, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, as Prime Minister.

Senior party figures have suggested Mr Abbasi will hold office until elections due next year, a reversal of earlier indications that Mr Sharif’s younger brother Shahbaz would seek the vacant seat and later take over as PM.

There is also talk in the party that Mrs Sharif herself could become PM if she is elected, but a Sharif aide said it was too early to speculate.